Queer Companions: Religion, Public Intimacy, and Saintly Affects in Pakistan

Queer Companions by Omar Kasmani explores saintly intimacy and the construction of queer social relations at Pakistan's most important Sufi pilgrimage site, focusing on the lives of ascetics known as fakirs. Kasmani argues that this intimacy offers a form of queer world-making with saints, as it fosters unstraight modes of living in the present and draws near to more-than-official histories and public forms of affect.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Queer Companions delves into the intricate tapestry of saintly intimacy and the formation of queer social bonds at Pakistan's paramount Sufi pilgrimage site. By seamlessly integrating queer theory and the anthropology of Islam, author Omar Kasmani unveils the profound and embodied ways in which saintly affections intertwine individuals, society, and the state within the country's public architecture of intimacy. Islamic saints, akin to lovers and queer companions, emerge as vital figures in this religious universe, enriching critical and queer forms of thinking.

Kasmani's study centers around the lives of ascetics known as fakirs in Pakistan, shedding light on how their emotional connections with the patron saint, a thirteenth-century antinomian mystic, cultivate unconventional lifestyles in the present. In the context of a nation where religious shrines are intricately intertwined with the state's governance structures, engaging with saints entails a proximity to unofficial histories and public expressions of affect. Through a series of fakir life stories, Kasmani argues that this intimacy constitutes a unique form of queer world-making with saints.

This exploration of saintly intimacy in Pakistan offers a thought-provoking lens through which to examine the complex interplay between religion, sexuality, and social norms. Kasmani's work contributes to our understanding of the diverse ways in which individuals and communities navigate the boundaries of identity and belonging, challenging traditional notions of religious and sexual morality. By highlighting the role of saints in fostering queer relationships and creating alternative modes of living, Queer Companions underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of marginalized voices and communities in shaping our understanding of the world.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478018032